Apparatus and method for detection of communication signal loss

• US 6,882,334 B1
• Filed: 12/14/1999
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Meyer, Corwyn R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US09/460,962
• Time in Patent Office: 1,953 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/168, 345/169, 345/158, 341 20- 22, 341/27, 340/31, 340/328, 340/384.2, 340/384.5, 340/825.36, 340/7.58, 340/7.6, 340/539, 340/384.1, 455/556, 455/557, 455/566, 455/95, 455/67.1, 710/15
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards

Abstract

A system and method for notifying a user of a loss of wireless communication between a host device and at least one peripheral device is described. The system comprises a host device, at least one peripheral device, means for detecting a loss of wireless connection between the host device and the at least one peripheral device and an alarm notifying the user of the loss of wireless connection between the host device and the at least one peripheral device. A method for notifying a user of a loss of wireless communication between a host device and at least one peripheral device is described, the method comprising detecting a loss of wireless communication between a host device and at least one peripheral device, signaling software controlling a transceiver that the loss of communication has been detected and transmitting a message to alert the user of the loss of wireless communication.

Claims

1. A system for notifying a user of a loss of wireless communication, the system comprising:

a host device;

at least one peripheral device connected to the host device by a wireless connection, the at least one peripheral device being capable of sending a first signal to the host device, and the host device being capable of sending a second signal to the at least one peripheral device in response to, and verifying receipt by the host device of, the first signal sent by the at least one peripheral device;

wherein the at least one peripheral device is also capable (a) of recognizing that the second signal from the host device has not been received after the sending of the first signal and (b) of then resending the first signal a preselected number of times so long as no second signal is received after each resending of the first signal; and

an alarm responsive to a determination that the second signal has not been received by the at least one peripheral device after the resending of the first signal the predetermined number of times, the alarm notifying the user of the loss of wireless connection between the host device and the at least one peripheral device;

wherein the alarm is configured as part of said at least one peripheral device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the host device is a host computer and the at least one peripheral device is a computer keyboard.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the keyboard comprises an input device through which multiple peripheral devices may communicate with the host computer.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless connection is an IR connection.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless connection is an RF connection.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one peripheral device is a remote control device.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm is an audible alarm.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the audible alarm comprises a series of beeps.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the series of beeps increases in volume over time, until the alarm is shut off by the user.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm comprises a vibrating alarm.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the at least one peripheral device comprises a first peripheral device and at least one additional peripheral device; and

the host device is capable of identifying and distinguishing between the first peripheral device and the at least one additional peripheral device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the alarm comprises a first alarm specific to the first peripheral device and a second alarm specific to the at least one additional peripheral device.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an input device included as part of the least one peripheral device for communicating with the host computer;

wherein the at least one peripheral device is configured to control the host device according to inputs received from the user via the input device.

14. A computer based method for wireless communication between a host computer and a first peripheral device, said host computer including a receiver for receiving data in the form of signals from said first peripheral device and said first peripheral device including a receiver for receiving data in the form of signals from said host computer, the method comprising:

sending a first signal from the first peripheral device to the host computer, wherein the host computer recognizes the first peripheral as the source of said first signal;

sending a second signal from the host computer to the first peripheral device confirming the receipt of the first signal by the host computer within a preselected time period following transmission thereof;

wherein when said first peripheral device recognizes the second signal from the host computer confirming receipt of the first signal by the host, the first peripheral device sends a third signal to the host computer and awaits confirmation thereof, and wherein when the first peripheral device fails to receive the second signal from the host computer, the first peripheral device retransmits the first signal a preselected number of times; and

initiating an alarm signal notifying a user that the communication between the host computer and first peripheral has been lost after the first peripheral has sent the first signal a preselected number of times with no confirmation thereof.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first and second signals are electromagnetic signals.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the alarm signal is initiated from said first peripheral device.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the first peripheral device is configured to control the host computer in accordance with inputs received from the user via a the first peripheral device.

18. A method for wireless communication between a host device and a first peripheral device, said host device including a receiver for receiving in the form of signals from said first peripheral device and said first peripheral device including a receiver for receiving data in the form of signals from said host device, the method comprising:

sending, a first signal from the first peripheral device to the host device, wherein the host device recognizes the first peripheral as the source of said first signal;

sending a second signal from the host device to the first peripheral device confirming the receipt of the first signal by the host device within a preselected time period following transmission thereof

wherein when said first peripheral device recognizes the second signal from the host device confirming receipt of the first signal by the host device, the first peripheral device sends a third signal to the host device and awaits confirmation thereof, and wherein when the first peripheral device fails to receive the second signal from the host device, the first peripheral device retransmits the first signal a preselected number of times and

initiating an alarm signal notifying a user that the communication between the host device and first peripheral has been lost after the first peripheral has sent the first signal a preselected number of times with no confirmation thereof.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the first and second signals are electromagnetic signals.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the first peripheral device is configured to control the host device according, to inputs received from the user via the first peripheral device.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the host device is a television and the first peripheral is a remote control associated with said television.

22. A system for notifying a user of a loss of wireless communication, the system comprising:

a host device;

at least one peripheral device connected to the host device by a wireless connection, the at least one peripheral device being capable of sending a first signal to the host device, and the host device being capable of sending a second signal to the at least one peripheral device in response to, and verifying receipt by the host device of, the first signal sent by the at least one peripheral device;

an alarm responsive to a determination that the second signal has not been received by the at least one peripheral device, the alarm notifying the user of the loss of wireless connection between the host device and the at least one peripheral device;

wherein the alarm is configured as part of said at least one peripheral device; and

wherein the alarm is audible and comprises a series of beeps increasing in volume over time until the alarm is shut off by the user.